View Full Version : Review : Nikkor AF-S 600mm f/4 G VR
Sar NOP
16-07-2009, 4:50pm
Hi all,
I bought this lens in December 2008 and after having extensively used it for the last 6 months I will be happy to share my personal opinion on this particular glass.
I still remember in 1986 when I just finished my high school Nikon announced their very first 600mm f/4 AI-S. For more than two decades, I'd been dreaming about this kind of lens : today my dream comes true !
Despite the short supply worlwide, I managed to get mine in just 24h from an authorised Nikon Australia !!! The owner of the shop personally came to deliver the special parcel to me !:cool:
Inside the tripple cartons, a lovely metal case :
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/1997/az16877resize2.jpg
http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/7563/az16880resize2.jpg
It took me more than 5 minutes to unwrap the lens and its hoods !
http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/664/az16882resize2.jpg
http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/1209/az16883resize2.jpg
I was very surprised by the size of the lens (from left to right : 600 VR, 200-400 VR & 70-200 VR).
http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/2849/az16895resize2.jpg
Sar NOP
16-07-2009, 4:50pm
Before buying this 600 VR, I have tried in the field two Nikkor 600mm f/4 : the AI-S and the AF-I models. So I already had an idea about IQ and weight/size of such glasses.
http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/8919/az16766resize2.jpg
Compared to the AF-I 600mm f/4 (on the left), side by side...
http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/7861/az16920resize2.jpg
Compared to the AF-S 500mm f/4 VR (on the left), side by side...
http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/3216/az16936resize2.jpg
The 600 VR is huge and does look very impressive.
Sar NOP
16-07-2009, 4:51pm
Here's my personal opinion :
What I really like :
* Fantastique AF speed, as fast as my 70-200 VR. Stunning performance considering its size and weight,
* Extremely sharp wide open and outstanding contrast and colours rendition,
* Very useful and efficient VR II,
* Superb brightness in the viewfinder, brighter than my 200-400 VR, probably from its massive front element,
* Buttery smooth and exquisite bokeh,
* Truly fine professional instrument with top class craftmanship.
What I like less :
* Size and weight. Top class tripod and head needed to get stelar results,
* VR ring (I prefer the reliable small switch on the 200-400 or 70-200),
* Nearly impossible to handhold,
* Price, price and price.
I will post some pictures taken with the bare lens and lens+TC(s) later...
JM Tran
16-07-2009, 5:02pm
Excellent write up, not many of us can hope to own such massive rocket launchers:)
Sar NOP
16-07-2009, 5:03pm
D2Hs, 1/160", f/4, 200 ISO, Handheld.
http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/6321/ca82917resize2.jpg
Crop 100%
http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/651/ca82917crop100.jpg
I think you can probably afford to update your bodies now too :D
Thanks for the write up Sar. That thing is huge. Perhaps if I sell a kidney I might be able to afford one :D
Cheers
Leigh
Headspin material. :eek:
Thanks for sharing, I know what I will be dreaming about tonight. :D
Sar NOP
16-07-2009, 5:26pm
I think you can probably afford to update your bodies now too :D
I put too much money in glasses now can't afford a new FX pro body anymore...but am still waiting for a real pro DX body, maybe a D3H ???
dh52726
16-07-2009, 6:19pm
untill i saw the last pic on the first post i did not realise how big that thing is! just wow!
Thanks Sar. To me this is a fascinating look at the (presently) unattainable.
Thanks for posting this, really interesting. I did have to laugh when I saw it in comparison to the 70-200, that feels big enough after a couple of hours, I can only imagine lifting that monster. :eek:
Thanks again. :)
You may have inspired me to do a review of my 400, which in a lot of ways is quite similar to the 600, just maybe, lol
Great review, my mentor has a 600 and is blown away with it's IQ. Have you tried it with a D3 in DX mode ? The IQ is stellar and I would have thought shooting at noiseless iso1600 would appeal ?
Sar NOP
16-07-2009, 7:13pm
Another one with TC-14EII :
D2Hs, 1/400", f/5.6, @840mm, 400 ISO, Monopod.
http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/4992/ca89339resize2.jpg
Crop 100%
http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/9217/ca89339crop100.jpg
Excellent review mate. It looks very similar my Canon 600/4, and it too is an amazing bit of glass. I ahve to agree with your pros and cons, but when you look at it, it is so worth it, the shots are absolutely stunning.
Sar NOP
16-07-2009, 7:34pm
Have you tried it with a D3 in DX mode ? The IQ is stellar and I would have thought shooting at noiseless iso1600 would appeal ?
A few months ago, I took about 500-1000 photos with the D700 at high ISO, in both FX and DX modes : IQ is much better, straight from the camera, than with my D2Hs.
D700, 1/200", f/5.6, @600mm, 4000 ISO, Handheld, FX Mode.
http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/2797/7fx1144resize2.jpg
Crop 100%
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/8392/7fx1144crop100.jpg
D700, 1/500", f/8, @1020mm (600+TC-17EII), 2500 ISO, Handheld, DX Mode.
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/455/7fx2516resize2.jpg
Crop 100%
http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/96/7fx2516crop100.jpg
Sar NOP
16-07-2009, 8:24pm
Another one with Kenko 2x :
D2Hs, 1/250", f/11, @1200mm, 400 ISO, Tripod. Manual focus.
http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/57/ca83411resize2.jpg
Crop 100%
http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/2788/ca83411crop100.jpg
Sar NOP
16-07-2009, 8:51pm
Extreme set up : 600+TC-17EII+Kenko 2x = 2040mm (3060mm effective !).
D2Hs, 1/250", f/32, @2040mm, 400 ISO, Bean Bag. Manual focus.
http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/6708/az17605resize2.jpg
Crop 100%
http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/5361/az17605crop100.jpg
That is amazing, no other words to describe that. Wow.
Impressive IQ with the Kenko 2x TC (they're actually useable :D ).
Cheers
Leigh
mcdesign
17-07-2009, 9:25am
Leaves me a bit speechless! Wow!
farmer_rob
17-07-2009, 12:14pm
Impressive. (Although I think the bird resents the intrusion :D )
Great stuff Sar. Will you be selling any of your old outdated lenses please???
... I... I dont know quite what to say....
nisstrust
17-07-2009, 2:08pm
very cool! and drool.... makes me want to get one and go shoot a bird just for the heck of it. :th3:
Sar NOP
17-07-2009, 3:41pm
When shooting fast moving subject with the TC-14EII, AF speed is still incredibly fast and very accurate !:eek:
But at such a focal length, keeping the suject in the viewfinder is truly a challenge...
D2Hs, 1/1000", f/5.6, @840mm, Monopod.
http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/7661/ca85310resize2.jpg
Sar NOP
17-07-2009, 3:45pm
Will you be selling any of your old outdated lenses please???
They're all MF lenses : AI 28/2.8, AI-S 50/1.8, AI-S 105/4 Micro-Nikkor, AI-S 200/4 and TC-200.
If you are interested...
thanks Sar , Mongo has virtually all of those already but if you ever think about selling the BIG ones, let Mongo know.
Thanks for the review mate.
One doesn't get the right feeling of the size till its put against 70-200.
Sar NOP
21-06-2010, 6:22pm
Today, I did a quick first test of the combo 600 VR+TC-20EIII on my favourite subjects : birds.
Compared to the Kenko 2x, the new aspherical 2x TC works better on the 600 (better AF speed).
All the images have been shot handheld !
Superb Fairy-wren female
http://images3.photomania.com/346257/1/rad5F293.jpg
http://images3.photomania.com/346261/1/rad82C83.jpg
New-Holland Honeyeater
http://images3.photomania.com/346266/1/radC6057.jpg
http://images3.photomania.com/346268/1/rad39440.jpg
Unidentified bird :D:D:D
http://images3.photomania.com/346662/1/radF91A7.jpg
Outstanding, you must have arms like popeye
joeyvaldezjr
21-06-2010, 7:12pm
great review sr.
Any moonshots you can share with this lens?
Paul G
21-06-2010, 10:27pm
Particularly nice shot of the species in the last shot on page 1 Sar! Be careful though that the lifesavers on the beach don't nab you when shooting these featherless birds ;)
rellik666
22-06-2010, 10:40am
Blimey! Thanks for making me feel totally inadequate! :Doh:
Roo
Sar NOP
22-06-2010, 3:42pm
great review sr.
Any moonshots you can share with this lens?
Yes, I have a few moonshots taken with stacked converters (600 VR+TC-17EII+Kenko 2x), but don't know where the files are. I will need time to find them...
Sar NOP
22-06-2010, 3:45pm
Particularly nice shot of the species in the last shot on page 1 Sar! Be careful though that the lifesavers on the beach don't nab you when shooting these featherless birds ;)
The lifesavers had no chance to nab me because I was in the bush about 250 metres away and there was a big lagoon between me and the beach ! :cool:
Even more impressive than the last lot of images Sar (if that is possible) !
Mongo recently bought a 20EIII largely on your earlier review of this TC and have found it to be quite excellent on nearly all lenses it fits. It does slow the AF on the 200-400 (which Mongo expected) but it has a tendency to “hunt” on that lens so manual focus is quicker. Mongo thinks the camera body it partly responsible for that. Still, very happy with the results.
Sar NOP
28-07-2010, 7:46pm
Yes Mongo, camera body makes all the difference with the combo 200-400+TC-20EIII.
My very first attempt with stacked 2x converters on the 600 VR :
600 VR+TC-20EIII+Kenko 2x, 1/100", f/22 (effective value), @2400mm (3600mm equivalent in 24x36 !), 640 ISO. MF & Tripod.
1280x850 px (http://images3.photomania.com/423151/1/radA8507.jpg)
http://images3.photomania.com/423218/1/rad7131A.jpg
No one can stacks them like you do Sar. Well done.
Mongo is working on getting a new boby in the near future.
ahh, Mongo, a cross between a baby and a body - seems reasonable !!
ahh, Mongo, a cross between a baby and a body - seems reasonable !!
you are right KIWI. MOngo hates typos !! when you do not put a spell test through your posts - this is what you get a lot of the time. Those who argue spell checks are not cool are the types who do not make mistakes - that is certainly not Mongo
Can Mongo actually get a "boby" that takes pictures??? :lol: :lol2:
Sar NOP
30-07-2010, 4:46pm
Mongo is working on getting a new boby in the near future.
What kind a new body are you looking for, Mongo ?
I'm currently looking for a used D2X (or D2Xs) for its 2x crop mode, so I won't need to stack converters anymore...:cool:
Sar,
Mongo knows you get amazing results from your current camera bodies (D2 or D2H??). Mongo did not know that there was a x2 crop camera which you say is the D2x. Mongo would be interested in a camera that gives your results and he would imagine it might cost $1200 to $1800. However, sensors and technology are changing so much and so fast , Mongo thinks it might be best to spend his money on a D700 – but more likely its replacement model when it comes out at some time in the near future or even lash out for a D3s for its high ISO qualities. Not sure which way to go just yet but all will become clearer at the right time.
BTW – what size file do you get with the D2Xs you want to buy when used in x2 crop factor ??
Sar NOP
31-07-2010, 4:01am
BTW – what size file do you get with the D2Xs you want to buy when used in x2 crop factor ??
Mongo, the D2X(s) is the best pro DX body Nikon has ever made. Its 2x crop feature gives you a very high quality 6.8mpx file. This is a 100 ISO native sensor and IMHO is the sharpest and finest Nikon camera (at its native sensitivity).
I have used sevral times a D2Xs of one of my uncles and am really impressed by the IQ of this camera (far better than the D700 or the D300s I have used).
There is a D2X second hand for sale at European Camera for $995, but with 150,000 actuations !
I know this kind of shutter counts is quite normal for a pro body (one of my D2Hs has 120,000 actuations and still works perfectly like the first day !!!).
I actually think the d2x is 1.5 crop isn't it ?
Sar, do you know steve aka avcomp?
He had a d2x for a long time and tested it extensively alongside a d3 and eventually and exhaustively settled on the d3 despite losing the crop, I helped with some tests as I had a d300 and d3 at the time
Anyhow, to summarise his findings, The d2x iq is as good and with the crop if required better to iso400 but from that point on the d3 was significantly better.
farmer_rob
31-07-2010, 7:05am
...
There is a D2X second hand for sale at European Camera for $995, but with 150,000 actuations !
I know this kind of shutter counts is quite normal for a pro body (one of my D2Hs has 120,000 actuations and still works perfectly like the first day !!!).
That seems about par for the course. They pop up on ebay every couple of weeks or so, and 100k activations seem to get about $1000-$1200. 10k or less (yes, they have appeared) - up around $1800-$2000.
Kiwi - the d3 may well be great, but is still a couple of grand more than the d2x.
The D2xs sounds very impressive and Mongo is surprised he did not know about these qualities about it.
However, there are a few things which make Mongo hesitate about getting one. First, it is an older camera and unlikely to be found in reasonably newish condition. Secondly, if KIWI is correct, the good usable ISO is too low at 400 for it to overcome Mongo’s problem i.e. to achieve higher shutter speeds. At the moment Mongo uses 400 ISO and 800 when desperate. The D2xs does to appear to improve this position.
Nonetheless, Mongo is going to read up on them and find out more.
Thanks for the info guys.
kmaisch
31-07-2010, 11:45am
Crikey, that's a mother of a lens!!
Sar NOP
31-07-2010, 5:48pm
I actually think the d2x is 1.5 crop isn't it ?
Sar, do you know steve aka avcomp?
He had a d2x for a long time and tested it extensively alongside a d3 and eventually and exhaustively settled on the d3 despite losing the crop, I helped with some tests as I had a d300 and d3 at the time
Anyhow, to summarise his findings, The d2x iq is as good and with the crop if required better to iso400 but from that point on the d3 was significantly better.
Yep, the D2X is a 1.5x crop body with 12.4mpx. It has as well a 2x crop mode with 6.8mpx.
Naturally, in high ISO the D2X cannot be compared to the modern bodies, but in native sensitivity (100 ISO) it's the sharpest and finest sensor Nikon has ever made.
For my birding, it will be very interesting to shoot with the D2X's 2x crop mode with my 600 VR (1200mm/4 equivalent !) at 100 ISO to get the finest detail of my subject. And the 6.8mpx NEF file will be more than enough for my need.
For high ISO and high speed shooting, I still can use my D2Hs...
Mongo has a good look on the net today to try and find some D2xs bodies for sale and other general info. Not easy to find and very and quite rare.
They do have as much as a X2 crop (6.8 meg) which is more than enough for a good image. No full frame though. Its write ups and sensor are quite renowned. Good to 400 ISO and as high as 800 with very little noticeable noise. IQ from this sensor is apparently superb. Cost between $1000 and $1600.
Thanks Sar for putting us on to this – Mongo may well consider buying this instead if Mongo gets to try it first and is happy with it.
farmer_rob
01-08-2010, 10:12pm
Mongo - I believe the d2x can be made into the d2xs with a firmware upgrade - so include those in your search. Someone on the forum here advised that you need to watch out for old batteries. The replacements are not cheap, especially if you go for Nikon originals. Also, make sure it comes with a charger. Otherwise, the $1500 camera can easily become the $2000 camera.
BTW, There's a d2x going on ebay at the moment here (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120600769956&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT).
Thanks Rob. However, Mongo thinks there is a little more than software to convert the D2x to a D2xs. There are some physical changes within the body. Also the sensor seems a fraction larger. Very good idea re the batteries and charger . Although, Mongo has an extra after market battery for his D200 that is every bit as good as the factory original.
If Mongo gets one it will be the D2xs original body or not at all. All the help has been much appreciated.
farmer_rob
02-08-2010, 6:39am
Nikon website and dpreview (http://www.dpreview.com/news/0606/06060102nikond2xs.asp) suggest sensor is the same. However, the LCD is improved, and some viewfinder tweaks for the high speed crop mode. Your mileage may vary (or finances allow) but I'll settle for either one and get the firmware update - this appears to be where the most significant image/functionality changes have occurred (ref. here (http://photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/00Jqmt)). (Given it holds it's value well, you could resell - and if you sell at a discount, I could buy:))
You have got Mongo doing the run around now Rob. At this rate you will not know what you might end up with.:D
Sar NOP
02-08-2010, 3:28pm
I'm still trying to convince one of my uncles to sell me his superb D2Xs with less than 4,000 actuations !!! :eek::eek::eek:
He should buy a D3000 instead because what he can do is shooting in Program Mode and JPEG small ! Anyway the D2 body is too heavy for him...:D
Sar NOP
02-08-2010, 3:31pm
A cute scene from this morning :
D2Hs, 600 VR+TC-14EII, 1/640", f/8, 200 ISO, Monopod.
http://a.imageshack.us/img831/2263/cb45151resize2.jpg
farmer_rob
03-08-2010, 9:41am
Yet another great photo Sar NOP. You continue to show that "more pixels" is nowhere near as important as "good photographer". (Also, the crispness and clarity of that lens with the TC is pretty impressive.)
Good luck with your uncle!
Sar NOP
03-08-2010, 10:36am
Two more photos from yesterday with the combo 600 VR+TC-14EII :
http://a.imageshack.us/img21/7241/cb45039resize2.jpg
http://a.imageshack.us/img710/1270/cb45207resize2.jpg
I'm still trying to convince one of my uncles to sell me his superb D2Xs with less than 4,000 actuations !!! :eek::eek::eek:
He should buy a D3000 instead because what he can do is shooting in Program Mode and JPEG small ! Anyway the D2 body is too heavy for him...:D
consider buying him the D3000 and let him use it for a little while. He is more likely to just send you back the D2xs instead with any luck. Having researched a little more on this camera, it seems to have outstanding qualities - even better than a D3 up to a point.
Mongo likes your latest captures.
NikonUser
04-08-2010, 6:42pm
Sorry for the off topic post, but I am looking for a more solid tripod for my 500/4... Just wondering what the tripod pictured in the earlier posts with the 600/4 VR mounted is?... and is it as solid as it looks?
Thanks
Paul
Sar NOP
04-08-2010, 7:29pm
Sorry for the off topic post, but I am looking for a more solid tripod for my 500/4... Just wondering what the tripod pictured in the earlier posts with the 600/4 VR mounted is?... and is it as solid as it looks?
Thanks
Paul
Paul, the tripod I use for my 600 and 200-400 is the Dutch Hill P900, with Dietmar Nill head.
This tool is the most robust and stable I've ever used. It's built like a tank !
http://images3.photomania.com/426404/1/radDB521.jpg
http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/6889/abc4812resize2.jpg
Holy crap Sar ...
I love your gadgets!!!1
NikonUser
05-08-2010, 2:28pm
Paul, the tripod I use for my 600 and 200-400 is the Dutch Hill P900, with Dietmar Nill head.
This tool is the most robust and stable I've ever used. It's built like a tank !
Thanks for the info.
Are these available anywhere in Aus? I can't seem to find much about them via Google.
Paul
Lance B
05-08-2010, 3:57pm
Stunning photos, Sar! I wouldn't mind getting a 600 f4 one day if it can produce shots like these! :)
Sar NOP
05-08-2010, 6:32pm
Thanks for the info.
Are these available anywhere in Aus? I can't seem to find much about them via Google.
Paul
Paul, you can buy one directly from the factory in the US :
Kirk Strahm
Dutch Hill Corporation
425-334-1794
Fax: 425-335-1854
E-mail : kirks@dutchhill.com
Hope it can help...
Cheers,
Sar
ronaldhw
24-08-2010, 1:21pm
impressive photos :O
need more photos, can't get enough of your photos with that 600mm :D
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